Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg)Looking to lose that spare tire? Ideal weight 200+? Frustrated being a large cyclist in a sport geared for the ultra-light? Learn about the bikes and parts that can take the abuse of a heavier cyclist, how to keep your body going while losing the weight, and get support from others who've been successful.

I have some headache issues that maybe someone can shed some light on....While riding I always seem to get a nice little headache. I know some will say its dehydration, and I know what that feels like but this is different. Ive read up a little and I *think* Im getting cluster headaches, according to webMD and going by the way I feel.

A cluster headache is a rapid rise in blood pressure from straining/working. Needless to say this occours more when MTBing than on the road. My blood presure stays in the normal range everytime I see the Doc....and I havent had any any BP related issues. Ive backed off on my riding, but thats no fun....nessacary thing I suppose??

Does anyone have any advice on what I can do, maybe before a ride? Im planning on seeing a Doc soon, but hoping that I can get something to help it.

The common nickname for Cluster Headaches in the medical community is The Suicide Headache. They are dibillitating and severe in nature. If you were truley experiencing a Cluster Headache you would be physically incapable of riding a bike or anything else, for that matter. I suspect your headaches are probably vascular in nature and probably have something to do with an increase in exertional blood pressure. What ever it is that you're experiencing, do get it checked out. Oh, and try to avoid self diagnosing via teh internets.

I don't think you have cluster headaches, because I don't think you would be able to ride with them, if they are as bad as most cluster headaches are.

But, either way, it is probably from a blood pressure issue, or it can be stress related because of the riding you are doing? I used to get headaches from dirt bike riding. I changed my bars by putting on bar risers and moving the bars a little farther forward. That took some of the stress off of my shoulders and made me like riding again.

I built a fixie out of a 58 cm fuji this spring. All my other biles at 63's & bigger. I got headaches riding that thing, just so uncomfortable, esp on any kind of uneven, poorly paved road. Its retired & a 69 cm shogun will become the fixie. So I'm suggesting fit as a poss cause of the headaches, but I'm no dr.

In my experience, I have often started a ride with a mild headache and had it go away a few miles into the ride. I can't think of ever *getting* a headache on a ride.

On the topic of cluster headaches, I'm well away of them, having had a guy who worked for me diagnosed with them. He would be fine, then suddenly start turning white. Next phase he would be grabbing nearby objects to steady himself while he vomited his guts out. Once he finished heaving, he would rinse out his mouth with a drink of water, and then was fine. The entire episode would be about 15 minutes.